Machine for attaching bedsprings to frame



Feb. 9, 1965 1'. F. WINTERS MACHINE FOR ATTACHING BEDSPRINGS TO FRAME 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed 001;. 29, 1962 INVENTOR. filo/W45 F. IV/NTEFS 4 TTOPA/EY \hN \Aw \N\, \M N m 2 m; ww e u A m Q Q 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 g 1 N VEN TOR 77mm: EMA/71k; yafgfl ITTOP/VE) T. F. WINTERS MACHINE FOR ATTACHING BED-SPRINGS T0 FRAME Feb. 9, 1965 Filed Oct. 29, 1962 Feb. 9, 1965 T- F. WINTERS 3, momma FOR ATTACHING BEDSPRINGS TO FRAME Filed Oct. 29, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. filo/v4.5 F; 14 14 75?! Unite 3,158,145 Patented Feb. 9, 1965 MACHINE FOR ATTACHING BEDSPRINGS T FRAME Thomas F. Winters, San RafaeL-Calif. Sterling l laziifttrfss Co., 1919 Bryant St., San Francisco 10,

Filed Oct. '29, 1962, Ser. No. 233,684 9 Claims. (Cl. 1-150) This invention relates to a new and improved machine for attaching coil-type bedsprings to the wooden bedspring frame conventionally used.

One form of bedspring commercially produced uses a a base a reticulated wooden frame comprising longitudinal and side marginal pieces and a plurality of transverse slats fastened to the longitudinal pieces at either end. To each slat is attached by means of staples, or the like, a plurality of coil bedsprings. A type of coil spring with which the present invention is particularly suitable is the so-called double volute type which has a generally helical or a spiral shape, but at the top has an enlarged diameter which decreases to about the mid-point of the height of the spring to a minimum diameter and then increases in diameter to the lower end and terminates in a pigtail. The diameter of the lowermost coil is less than the diameter of the topmost coil, but is greater than the diameter of the middle coil. The intersection of the coils at the top is finished otf with a knot so that the top surface of the spring presents a flat attitude. Fastening of the lower end or pigtail of the coil to the slat is accomplished by a wire staple, which is usually driven into the wooden slat by means of a pneumatic or air-type stapling gun of any of the forms commercially available.

Heretofore, attachment of each staple to the slat with the pigtail caught by the staple and fastened to the slat has been a hand operation and each spring coil has been individually fastened. For such purpose, two workmen usually work on a single spring on opposite sides of the frame and the labor required to fasten a set of coils to a spring frame is an important factor in the cost of manufacture.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a machine which fastens a plurality of bedspring coils to the frame simultaneously and thereby reduces the amount of labor required to produce a spring by reducing the amount of time which a workman must devote to the fastening operation.

A further feature of the invention is the fact that the staples are applied automatically by machinery rather than being applied manually.

A principal feature of the invention is the provision of a machine on which is loaded a plurality of coils, the coils being held temporarily by sliding over inclined pairs of stapling guns which are rigidly mounted on a carriage on the machine. of the springs contact the wooden slat whereupon a plurality of staple guns is energized simultaneously, driving staples into the slat and holding the bottom coil in place. Thus, the physical labor required in fastening the coils to the frame consists primarily of loading the coils into position on the carraige, the actual stapling operation requiring no manual effort.

Another feature of the invention is the fact that the carriage is provided with permanently positioned stapling guns which serve as locating means for the coils and hence the coils are automatically located in position for each cycle of operation without individual attention of the operator.

Still another advantage of the invention is the fact that an entire row of coils may be applied to a slat simultaneously and then the carriage is lifted so that it does not interfere with longitudinal movement of the spring frame.

The carriage is depressed until the bottoms Accordingly, the spring frame may be indexed from slat to slat and accurately positioned under the guns mounted on the carriage without careful attention of the operator. h

A still further feature of the invention is the fact that relatively unskilled labor may be employed to fasten coils, whereas heretofore the accurate positioning and fastening of the coils required skill and experience.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a modification wherein the carriage on which" the guns are mounted is itself mounted on tracks extending laterally one side of the machine. Hence, the carriage may be moved to one side of the base of the machine so that a single operator may load an entire row of coils onto the carriage. This feature of the modified form of the invention is of importance, in that the normalwidth of a bedspring is such that it is not convenient for a single workman to load the coils on both sides because of the distance the workman must reach.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings: v

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view of the machine.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view as viewed along the arrows 2 2 of FIG. 1. I

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantiallyalong the lines of 33 of FIG. 1. I

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevational view of a portion of the gun, mounting and carriage.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the structure of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are fragmentary horizontal sectional views taken respectively along the lines 6-6 and 7-7 of FIG. 4. i A bedspring frame used in conjunction with the present invention is constructed in a variety of Ways. One conventional construction is herein illustrated and consists of opposed longitudinal marginal members 11 on either side of the frame and transverse end members 12 at either end. A plurality of transverse slats 13 are spaced along the length of the frame. The elevation 'of the top surface of the slats and of the ends is substantially the same. For each slat 13 and each end 12 there are eight coils 14 in a row, but it will be understood that the number of coils and the spacing between coils is subject to variation. The machine, which is the subject of the invention, may be adjusted to accommodate different coil spacings and different numbers of coils. v

Each coil 14 is more or less conventional and its details are best shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, inclusive. The form of coil 14 herein illustrated is of the double volute type wherein the 'wire of which the coil is made is wound in a helical-spiral pattern and the top turn 16 is of maximum diameter and is preferably horizontal and flat and the upper end of the wire is fixed to the next turn by means of a knot 17. The diameter of coil 14 decreases from a maximum at the top turn 16 to a minimum at turn 18 about one-half the height of the coil and then increases the diameter to the bottom turn 19. Turn 19 terminates in a pigtail 21, which is approximately tangent to turn 19. Coil 14 is fastened to slat 13 by means of two wire staples 22 of conventional type which are driven into slat 13 and over bottom turn 19. One staple 22 is driven over the pigtail 21 and the other staple 22 is driven over turn 19 at a position diametrically opposite the point at which staple 22 engages pigtail 21. The two staples 22 hold the coil 14 in position and, also, hold it substantially erect.

The machine, which is the subject of the invention, provides an elongated horizontaltable 26, which is of a length approximately twice that of the spring to be formed thereon. Table 26 is supported a convenient distance above the floor by means of legs 27, which are braced by means of diagonal andhorizontal cross=bracing 28. Aside guide 29 extends longitudinally'along one edge of table26. On the side opposite guide 29 is an adjustable longitudinal guide 31 mounted on table 26'by adjustable brackets 32 in such mannerthat the spacing pressed air by means of conduit 38 and fitting 39. The

air-driven stapling machines hereinafter. described are energized from manifold 37 as is hereinafter explained. A pair of horizontal transverse upper and lower tracks 41, 42 extend across the width of table 26, and in the form of the invention herein shown project laterally to oneside of the machine in a length substantially equal to the width of table 26. One end of each track 41, 42 is welded to a sleeve 43 which reciprocates On the, righthand stanchion 34 as viewed in FIG. 1, andtracks 41, 42 are also connected to another sleeve 43' which reciprocates on the. other stanchion 34; Vertical interconnecting braces 44'support the tracks 41, 42 in alignment. Reciprocation of tracks 41, 42 is accomplished by means of compressed air cylinder 46 which is mounted at its upper end by means of bracket 47 to tie 36. Piston rod 48, which extends from the lower end of cylinder 46, is connected by means of bracket 49 to lower track 42. Cyl inder 46 is double-acting in the sense that it is energized from either end by means of fluid pressure conduits 51, 52, which are controlled by means of valve 53 connected to a source of compressed air and mounted on table 26. Valve 53 is manually controlled'by lever 54. To support the track structure for vertical reciprocation to prevent it from getting out of line, on either side of the machine is a link 56, the inner end of which is fastened to horizontal rod 57 supported by brackets 58 on tie 36. The outer end of link 56 is connected by pins 59 to connecting links 61, the lower ends of which are connected by pins 62 to brackets 63 on lower track 42. Thus vertical reciprocation of the machine is stabilized by the linkage 56 to 61.

Horizontally slidable ontracks41, 42 (in the embodiment of the machine illustrated in the accompanying drawings) is carriage 66. Carriage 66 comprises top and bottom transverse horizontal members 67, 68, which are approximately at the same elevation as tracks 41, 42. Rollers 69 are supported from members 67, 68 at either side of the machine and run on tracks 41, 42. Since the length of tracks 41, 42 is substantiallygreater than the width of the carriage 66, the carriage may slide to the side of the machine, that is, the full line illustration of FIG. 1 shows the carriage 66 in working position, whereas the dotted line position of FIG. 1 shows the left-hand roller 69 in loading position. a

For each coil 14 there are two pneumatic stapling machines or guns 71. The pair of guns 71 is mounted on a plate 72 connected to horizontal transverse members 67, 68 of the carriage. Guns '71 are mounted by means of mounting yokes 73 and 74 at the top and bottom respectively, screws 76 passing through the yokes and securing the yokes to plate 72 as well as to members 67 and 68. Slanted openings 77 are formed in yokes 73, 74 to receive and hold guns 71. holes 77 are formed are such that, as best shown in FIG, 4, the coil 14 fits into position with respect to the staples.

The angles at which movement of carriage 66 may be eliminated.

V 4 Each gun 71 consists of a cylinder upper end by means of fitting 32 to a flexible hose 83 which leads to manifold 37. A spring housing 84 surrounds a portion of cylinder 81 and contains a spring (not shown) which returns the piston in cylinder 81 to retracted position; Extending transversely to the lower end of cylinder 81 is a magazine 86 for staples 22, A supply of staples is loaded'into the magazine 86 and by means of a spring'i'ncorporated therein the staples are biased toward cylinder 81 Below magazine 86 is a nose 87 in alignment with cylinder '81,. nose 87 receiving an indi vidual staple 22 dislodged from magazine 86 and driven down through the nose 87 to the lower end'thereot' The lower end of nose 87 is formed with a notch 88 shaped to fit over the upper half of the wire of coil 14 and more specifically, over the upper half of the pigtail 21 and a point on bottom coil 19 diametrically opposite pigtail 21. As has heretofore been explained, the structure and operation of guns 71 forms no part of the present invention, a

is not illustrated herein in detail, nor described. However, it will be understood that an anvil (not shown) reciprocates in cylinder 81 and on its downward stroke forces the innermost staple 22' out of the magazine 86; and drives the same down through nose 37, straddling the wire of the coil 14 and driving into the slat 13. Upon completion of the downward stroke: the spring in housing 84 retracts the anvil for the next cycle of the machine.

In use of theform of the invention herein illustrated at the beginning of the cycle of operation, tracks 41, 42 are elevated by reason of retraction of rod 48 in cylinder 46 under the control of the operator by actuation of'lever 54 for valve53. The carriage 66 is slid to theleft as viewed in FIG. 1 so that all of the guns 71 areconveniently at the disposal of the operators stationed on the lefthand side of the machine. The operator then takes a plurality of coils 14 and loads them on the carriage. The position assumed by the coils is best shown in F168. 4 and 5. It will be noted that the uppermost turn 16 is around the outside of the noses 37 of a pair of guns and that the knot'li fits against the side of one nose 87. When thus positioned'the intermediate turns of the coil 14 are between the noses 87 except that the lowermost coil 19 is so positioned that the pigtail 21 fits through one notch 83 andthe portion of lowermost turn 19 opposite pigtail 21 fits through the other notchStl. All of the coils 14 for a complete row of coils are loaded simultaneously. Thereupon the carriage is returned from its outside position to its position directly over table 26. The operator then actuates handle 54 to energize cylinder 46 and lower the carriage 66 into position so that the bottom coils 19 rest upon slat 13. By manual means (not shown) or by an automatic switch when such position is reached guns 71 are energized causing a staple to be driven down through each gun to staple either the pigtail or the point opposite the pigtail of bottommost coil 19 into the underlying slat 13. The spring in each gun returns the actuat ing mechanism for recycling and the operator then shifts handle 54 to raise the carriage 66. It will be noted that the slanted noses 87 of the guns donot interfere with upward movement of the carriage 66. However, friction of the coil 14 against the noses 87 and the angle of disposition of the noses 87 is such that the coils remain in place during the interval between loading and stapling to the underlying slat. After the carriage .has been raised, it may he slid to the left and the cycle'repeated.

'In the foregoing description as well as in the illustrations accompanying this application the machine is so constructed that carriage 66 maybe slid laterally of the. machine for loading, thereby facilitating loading by a; Singlc' operator. However, where desired the lateral In such instance, bracket 49 on the lower end of'piston; rod 48 v is directly connected to lower carriage member 68 andv the tracks 41, 42 are eliminated/Hence, the carriagereciprocates vertically but does not reciprocate horizon.

81 connected at its 7 V for moving said carriage between first and second positions away from and in proximity to said support means respectively, a plurality of fluid pressure actuated staple driving machines on said carriage positioned to position and support a plurality of coil springsin first position of said carriage and to staple each said coil spring to a bedspring'frame on said support means in second position of said carriage and means for energizing said staple driving machine. i

2. A machine according to claim 1 in which said staple driving machines are mounted on said carriage in pairs, each said staple driving machine having an elongated downward-directed nose through which staples are driven,

the noses of each pair converging downward;a t an angle substantially equal to the converging angle of said coil.

3. A machine according to claim 1 in which said staple driving machines are mounted on said coverage in pairs, each said staple driving machine having an elongated downward-directed nose through which staples are driven, the lower ends of noses of a pair of staple driving machines are spaced apart a distance equal to the diametric distance apart of the lower end of a bedspring coil.

4. A machine according to claim 1 which further comprises a track on which said carriage is mounted for lateral movement relative to said support means, said retractable means moving both said track and said carria'ge vertically relative to said support means, and means on said carriage engageable with said track to guide said carriage for lateral-movement relative to said support means.

5. A machine according to claim 3, in which each said nose is notched at its lower end to receive portions of said lower end of said bedspring coil.

6. A machine for fastening a plurality of bedspring coils to a bedspring frame comprising an elongated table along which said frame may he slid, guides extending transverse to said table, holding means each adapted to hold a bedspring coil reciprocable on said guides between a first position remote from said table to a second position in proximity to said table, and a pair of stapling machines on said holding means and positioned to hold a bedspring coil.

7. A machine according to claim 6 in which said holding means comprises a trackway extending laterally relative to said table and a carriage laterally slidable on said trackway, said stapling machine mounted on said carriage.

8. In combination, a support, a first and a second stapling machine, each said stapling machine having an elon ated nose down which staples are driven during operation of said machine, and means mounting said stapling machines on said support, said stapling machines positioned to receive a bedspring coil slid up from the lower ends of said noses and to hold said coil against unintentional dislodgment by said noses.

9; The combination of claim 8 in which each said nose is notched at its lower end to receive portions of the smaller end of a bedspring coil.

No references cited. a 

1. IN A MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING A PLURALITY OF COIL SPRINGS ON A BEDSPRING FRAME, SUPPORT MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID BEDSPRING FRAME, A CARRIAGE, RETRACTABLE MEANS FOR MOVING SAID CARRIAGE BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS AWAY FROM AND IN PROXIMITY TO SAID SUPPORT MEANS RESPECTIVELY, A PLURALITY OF FLUID PRESSURE ACTUATED STAPLE DRIVING MACHINES ON SAID CARRIAGE POSITIONED TO POSITION AND SUPPORT A PLURALITY OF COIL SPRINGS IN FIRST POSITION OF SAID CARRIAGE AND TO STAPLE EACH SAID COIL SPRING TO A BEDSPRING FRAME ON SAID SUPPORT MEANS IN SECOND POSITION OF SAID CARRIAGE AND MEANS FOR ENERGIZING SAID STAPLE DRIVING MACHINE. 